Kaduna

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

In an act of interfaith solidarity, prominent Christian leaders joined tens of thousands of Muslims in Kaduna to celebrate Maulud, marking the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

The General Overseer of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry, Pastor Yohanna Buru, and church elders were special guests at the main event held at the Murtala Mohammed Square.

Pastor Buru used the platform to extend congratulations to major Islamic leaders across Nigeria and to deliver a lecture on peace.

He emphasized that his participation was a key part of ongoing efforts to strengthen relations between the two faiths and foster national unity.

“Maulud celebrations offer a golden opportunity for Christians and Muslims to meet, interact, dialogue, and exchange goodwill messages,” Buru stated.

“It’s a platform to promote religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.”

He noted that his church reciprocates by welcoming Muslims during Christmas celebrations for the birth of Jesus Christ, adding that Prophet Muhammad is a messenger for all humanity.

Highlighting practical acts of unity, Pastor Buru recalled a Muslim woman, Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani, who donated 100 Bibles to his church and supports his humanitarian efforts for widows and orphans.

In response, Muslim scholars praised the gesture. Sheikh Iliyasu Husaine, representing Jama’atul Nasrul Islam (JNI) in Kaduna, emphasized the importance of forgiveness and love, noting he had also attended Christmas services at Pastor Buru’s church.

The event saw a massive turnout, with thousands of Muslims from all 23 local government areas of Kaduna participating in parades and Qur’anic recitations.

Officials expressed hope that such collaboration would continue to pave the way for lasting peace in the region.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Kaduna State Government has reinstated the five-day school week across all public schools in the state.

The Commissioner for Education, Professor Abubakar Sani Sambo, made the announcement while receiving members of the Kaduna Government College Old Boys Association in his office.

He explained that the decision is aimed at enhancing students’ learning outcomes and ensuring a more effective education system.

Professor Sambo further disclosed that the state is working on plans to improve teachers’ salaries in order to boost their productivity and commitment.

On the temporary occupation of Kaduna Government College by the Civil Defence Corps and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the Commissioner clarified that the move was initially due to security concerns.

However, he stated that both organizations must now relocate to their permanent sites.

Earlier, the National President of the Kaduna Government College Old Boys Association, Alhaji Muhammad Yusuf Sa’in Lere, appealed to Governor Uba Sani to intervene, noting that the NYSC and Civil Defence currently occupy about 70 percent of the school premises, which affects its operations.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A tragic building collapse, triggered by heavy rainfall, claimed the lives of a mother and three of her young children in the early hours of Wednesday in the Karauka area of Zaria.

The victims have been identified as Mallama Habiba Nuhu, her two daughters, Hauwa’u Nuhu and Aina’u Nuhu, and her granddaughter, Za’uma.

According to a relative, Mallam Ahmed Ibrahim, the disaster occurred between 3:30 a.m. and 4 a.m. when a mud wall from a neighbouring house gave way and collapsed onto the family’s room.

“The victims died on the spot because they were covered by rubble,” Ibrahim stated.

The husband and father, Mallam Nuhu Dogara, was the sole survivor. He was recovered alive from the debris and rushed to a hospital for medical attention.

He was later discharged just in time to attend the funeral prayers for his family.

Local authorities attribute the collapse to the ceaseless rainfall that has been battering the Zaria area, which weakened the structure of the adjacent building.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A group known as the Concerned Kaduna Central Constituents has initiated a process to recall their Senator, Lawal Adamu Usman, citing poor representation and neglect of duties.

In a statement to the press, the group accused the senator of failing to advocate for the constituency, being persistently absent from legislative duties, and providing no tangible projects for the people.

They claimed he has been disconnected from the realities of his constituents since taking office.

The group has begun gathering signatures from registered voters to petition the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for his recall.INEC has not yet responded.

By law, a recall requires signatures from at least half of the registered voters in the senatorial district before a verification and referendum can be held.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A passenger train service from Abuja to Kaduna derailed on Tuesday morning, causing multiple carriages to overturn and creating a scene of panic and confusion among travellers.

The incident occurred along the busy transport corridor at approximately 11 a.m., shortly after the train’s departure from the nation’s capital.

Eyewitnesses aboard the train described a chaotic scramble for safety as the carriages left the tracks.

The precise cause of the derailment is currently unknown and is likely to be the subject of an official investigation.

At this time, there has been no official confirmation of injuries or fatalities.

Security sources indicate that military personnel have been deployed to the scene to aid in the evacuation of stranded passengers.

Authorities have not yet released an official statement regarding the incident.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested a suspected Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) agent, Shehu Fatange, with N30 million allegedly meant for vote-buying ahead of Saturday’s bye-elections in Kaduna State.

Fatange was apprehended Friday evening at a hotel in Kaduna, where he was reportedly coordinating the distribution of cash to influence voters in the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency election.

Security sources confirmed the suspect was caught with a large sum of money intended to compromise the electoral process.

The Kaduna Police Command also verified the arrest, stating that investigations were ongoing.

The incident comes amid rising tensions, with political parties trading accusations of vote-buying and electoral malpractice ahead of the polls.

Authorities have urged the public to remain calm and turn out peacefully to vote.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has appointed Alhaji Ahmed Maiyaki, the Managing Director of Kaduna State Media Corporation, as the new Commissioner of Information.

This follows the removal of Professor Muhammad Sani Bello from the position.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Malam Ibraheem Musa, acknowledged Bello’s service as the pioneer Commissioner of Education and later Information Commissioner under Governor Sani’s administration.

The Governor wished Bello success in his future endeavors while welcoming Maiyaki to his new role.

No reason was given for the change.

By Uzair Adam

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has commenced the trial of Mr. Olajimi Shakiru Adebisi Lawal, a former aide to ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, alongside three others, at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.

The trial began on Monday, July 21, 2025, before Justice R.M. Aikawa, with the defendants facing charges bordering on fraudulent estacode payments and abuse of public office during their tenure in government service.

At the opening of the proceedings, the prosecution presented three witnesses—Mrs. Aisha Dikko Kalil, Mrs. Bariyatu Yusuf, and Mr. Samuel Aruwan—all former senior officials in the Kaduna State Government.

While giving her testimony, Mrs. Kalil, who served as Attorney-General of Kaduna State from 2019 to 2023, told the court that tuition fees for all foreign training she attended were paid directly by the state government to the respective institutions.

She added that estacode allowances were, however, paid into her personal Guaranty Trust Bank account.She confirmed receiving over N5 million in estacode payments but clarified that none of the funds came from the first defendant, Mr. Lawal.

She also stated that the total tuition fees for the training programs amounted to \$9,100.

The court admitted various documents in evidence, including her bank statements, official approvals for foreign training, and training certificates.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled by-elections for 16 vacant legislative seats, including the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, for Saturday, August 16, 2025.

The polls follow the death of Hon. Ekene Adams, the former representative of Chikun/Kajuru.

The elections will cover five federal and 11 state constituencies across 12 states.INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, announced the date during a meeting with political parties in Abuja.

Over 3.5 million registered voters in 32 LGAs, 356 wards, and 6,987 polling units will participate, with 30,451 officials deployed for the exercise.

Yakubu assured that INEC remains committed to conducting a free, fair, and credible election to fill the vacant seats.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State on Tuesday visited survivors of the recent violent attack in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, where some citizens of Kaduna State were killed and others injured.

The governor, who met with the victims at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna, reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

He disclosed that arrests have already been made and that security agencies are actively pursuing other suspects involved in the attack.

Governor Sani also announced that the Kaduna State Government will cover all medical expenses for the survivors and provide psychosocial support to help them recover from the trauma before reuniting them with their families.

“We will not relent until everyone responsible for this brutality faces the full weight of the law,” he stated.